Hirundo Wildlife Refuge

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Old Town, ME
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge

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Hirundo is a 2,400 acre nature preserve located only 10 miles from the University of Maine, Orono.

All are welcome to hike the trails, free of charge, and enjoy the beauty of Maine seven days a week, year round!

*NOT A WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER*

10/30/2026

With winter fast approaching, join Hirundo on the trail to build or refresh your winter tree identification skills! Our Winter Tree ID Walk is set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. Visit hirundomaine.org and click "Events" to sign up!

As the remaining leaves make their way to the forest floor, branches, bark, and buds become more visible. Join our Program Coordinator Maddie, who is a Maine licensed forester, for this walk along Hirundo's trails as we explore the species of trees present and practice their winter identification. 🍂🪾

10/29/2026

We're thrilled to finally reveal the winners of our 2026 Fall Fest photo contest, and wow, does this family know how to take pictures of Hirundo or what? The Cox family of Orono once agin dominated this year's contest, on the heels of their multiple wins from last year's competition. We love how much they love Hirundo - it shows in every frame!

Siblings Jacob (images 1-3) and Anika Cox (images 3-6) are tied for first place in our Youth category, and mom Nikki Cox (images 6-9) won first place in the Adult category. We're giving them a big round of applause, and we hope they enjoy their Hirundo gear and a gift card to Pepper's Landing in Old Town! Thanks to everyone who participated.

10/27/2026

Our wonderful volunteer photographer Isabella Sferra has once again shared some lovely images of Hirundo that she took over the past month. In addition to the brilliant colors and late fall fungi she captured, she got a picture of our signs alerting people to the presence of baby snapping turtles! 🐢

Snapping turtles lay eggs in June, and it takes about 90 or so days for the eggs to incubate - meaning these little guys start appearing in the fall. You might still see a few of them crawling around this month before they burrow into the mud along the stream and the pond to hibernate. They are awfully cute, but don't touch them - they know where to go and what to do and are very much best left alone.

Thanks, Isabella! 🍂

10/26/2026

🦇 It's International Bat Week! Bat Week is an annual celebration to raise awareness about bat conservation, and how bats are crucial to ecosystems. Bats are vital pollinators, experts at insect control, and provide seed dispersal for a wide variety of plant species. They face numerous challenges between disease, habitat loss and climate change, which is why it's so important to make sure people better understand these amazing creatures.

Maine is home to eight different bat species, all of which can be found at Hirundo. We love to spot them flitting among the trees as sunset approaches - it's a sign of a healthy ecosystem. You can help track bats and many other species at Hirundo by participating in one of our BioBlitz events, in which we use the iNaturalist app to record as many species as we can. The next one is set for Oct. 31! 🦇

10/23/2026

🌕🍂 There's still time to register for this Sunday's Full Moon Paddle, set for 5 p.m. at Gate 3 at Hirundo! This is the last Full Moon Paddle of the season, and it's expected to be a stunning, clear day, with temperatures in the 60s - perfect for gazing at the Hunter's Moon from a canoe or kayak, and learning from a registered Maine Guide along the way. Register at hirundomaine.org.

10/23/2026

We're throwing it back to about a year ago, when our trail cams caught this busy beaver moving sticks around in the middle of the night, maintaining its lodge along the Pushaw Stream. Hirundo is home to lots of beavers, and their dams and lodges are familiar sights to paddlers - as well as the loud splash of a warning strike on the water if you get too close to one hard at work.

10/22/2026

Our last guided paddle of the season is set to be a spooky one! Join us on the morning of Halloween for a guided paddle down the Pushaw Stream. We'd love to see you wear your festive Halloween gear or even full costumes - bonus points if you bring a spooky story to share.

Register for this and all our events at hirundomaine.org.

10/20/2026

Local college students who are studying wildlife ecology, education, business or outdoor recreation and are looking for some excellent experience are encouraged to apply to be a student trustee at Hirundo!

It's a great resume-builder for both undergraduates and graduate students, and you'll gain hands-on experience with our passionate, hardworking board. Interested? Email a resume and brief letter of interest to [email protected].

10/19/2026

“For a lot of our students they have never experienced nature this way before.” 💚

This month we were delighted to host school visits from students and educators from the Indian Island School and from the Etna-Dixmont School. Whether students are exploring the trails at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge or participating in our Traveling Naturalist program at your school, we create hands-on, inclusive experiences that help people of all ages connect with the natural world. 🌿

Looking for a unique program for your class, team, or community group? Email program coordinator Maddie at [email protected] to explore all the different possibilities to learn, play and explore at Hirundo.

10/16/2026

Our last full moon paddle of the season is set for Sunday, Oct. 25. Under the light of the Hunter's Moon, we will glide through the waters of the Pushaw Stream and listen for the wildlife that comes out at night.

Register for this guided paddle at hirundomaine.org.

Address

1107 West Old Town Road
Old Town, ME
04468

Telephone

+12073942171

Website

http://www.hirundomaine.org/, https://www.bonfire.com/store/hirundo-shop/

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